Preoperative PET/CT in early-stage breast cancer

TY - JOUR

T1 - Preoperative PET/CT in early-stage breast cancer

AU - Bernsdorf, M

AU - Berthelsen, A K

AU - Wielenga, V T

AU - Kroman, N

AU - Teilum, D

AU - Binderup, Tina

AU - Tange, U B

AU - Andersson, M

AU - Kjær, A

AU - Loft, A

AU - Graff, J

PY - 2012/9

Y1 - 2012/9

N2 - Background: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of preoperative positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) in the initial staging of patients with early-stage breast cancer. Patients and methods: A total of 103 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed operable breast cancer with tumors ≥2 cm were independently examined preoperatively with conventional assessment (mammography, breast/axillary ultrasound, chest X-ray and blood samples) and PET/CT with no prior knowledge of the other. Results: PET/CT identified a primary tumor in all but three patients (97%). PET/CT solely detected distant metastases (ovary, bones and lung) in 6 patients and new primary cancers (ovary, lung) in another two patients, as well as 12 cases of extra-axillary lymph node involvement. In 15 patients (15%), extra-axillary malignancy was detected by PET/CT only, leading to an upgrade of initial staging in 14% (14/103) and ultimately a modification of planned treatment in 8% (8/103) of patients. Conclusions: PET/CT is a valuable tool to provide information on extra-axillary lymph node involvement, distant metastases and other occult primary cancers. Preoperative. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/CT has a substantial impact on initial staging and on clinical management in patients with early-stage breast cancer with tumors ≥2 cm.

AB - Background: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of preoperative positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) in the initial staging of patients with early-stage breast cancer. Patients and methods: A total of 103 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed operable breast cancer with tumors ≥2 cm were independently examined preoperatively with conventional assessment (mammography, breast/axillary ultrasound, chest X-ray and blood samples) and PET/CT with no prior knowledge of the other. Results: PET/CT identified a primary tumor in all but three patients (97%). PET/CT solely detected distant metastases (ovary, bones and lung) in 6 patients and new primary cancers (ovary, lung) in another two patients, as well as 12 cases of extra-axillary lymph node involvement. In 15 patients (15%), extra-axillary malignancy was detected by PET/CT only, leading to an upgrade of initial staging in 14% (14/103) and ultimately a modification of planned treatment in 8% (8/103) of patients. Conclusions: PET/CT is a valuable tool to provide information on extra-axillary lymph node involvement, distant metastases and other occult primary cancers. Preoperative. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/CT has a substantial impact on initial staging and on clinical management in patients with early-stage breast cancer with tumors ≥2 cm.

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Breast Neoplasms

KW - Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast

KW - Carcinoma, Lobular

KW - Diagnosis, Differential

KW - Female

KW - Fluorodeoxyglucose F18

KW - Humans

KW - Lymphatic Metastasis

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Neoplasm Staging

KW - Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography

KW - Preoperative Care

KW - Prospective Studies

KW - Radiopharmaceuticals

KW - Sensitivity and Specificity

U2 - 10.1093/annonc/mds002

DO - 10.1093/annonc/mds002

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22357250

SN - 0923-7534

VL - 23

SP - 2277

EP - 2282

JO - Annals of Oncology

JF - Annals of Oncology

IS - 9

ER -